Baltimore's 100 best bars [Pictures]

Attracting patrons from the neighborhood and the nearby colleges, Dougherty's Pub has 15 beers on draft and the typical happy hour specials patrons have come to expect in Baltimore. But it also has character and heart, which can be seen on the wall filled with works from local artists, free of charge. • Bar info: Dougherty's Pub, 223 W. Chase St., 410-752-4059, doughertyspub.com

Attracting patrons from the neighborhood and the nearby colleges, Dougherty's Pub has 15 beers on draft and the typical happy hour specials patrons have come to expect in Baltimore. But it also has character and heart, which can be seen on the wall filled with works from local artists, free of charge. • Bar info: Dougherty's Pub, 223 W. Chase St., 410-752-4059, doughertyspub.com (Alexis Jenkins, for The Baltimore Sun)

Baltimore's nightlife scene is a reflection of its people -- extremely eccentric, but just as endearing. We put personality at a premium, and expect good value, too. So while we're happy to visit D.C. for the occasional swanky escape, given the choice, we'd take a cold Boh in a Baltimore bar nearly every time. But which one? Ask 100 Baltimoreans their favorite bar and you'll likely receive just as many answers. That's because it's a diverse, forever-evolving community, susceptible to rising trends (craft cocktails, beer-snob hang-outs, sophisticated wine bars), but firmly committed to its long-standing haunts and dives. Last year, we broke the overall top bars list down into Top 10s (best places to go dancing, best places to meet singles, etc.). But this year, we stripped the signifiers and tackled the city's scene head-on. Raise a glass, and let the debates begin. --By Wesley Case Also see: • Baltimore's top bars [Sortable list] | Baltimore's best restaurants, bars [Map] • Baltimore's 100 best restaurants [Pictures] • Readers' favorite bars [Pictures]